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Gay Bashing

Being Gay is Not a Crime --- Gay Bashing Is!

Criminal acts against gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons are not tolerated in this community.

Penn State is working to develop an environment in which all members of the community are valued for their unique contributions. Before this can be achieved, each person, regardless of race, gender, color, creed, national origin, handicap, or sexual orientation must first be free from harassment.

Harassment includes physical assaults, verbal assaults, repeated non-verbal expressions, or following someone in which these actions are directed against a person because of their sexual orientation. Gay, lesbian, or bisexual bashing --- that is, insults or harrassment of persons due to their sexual orientation --- are criminal acts.

When incidents do occur, Police Services encourages victims to report them and to assist police in the identification of the assailant. Police Services will also submit a referral to the Office of Student Affairs if a criminal incident is investigated. The University will take strong and effective action against those who commit crimes against others because of their sexual orientation, beginning with criminal prosecution.

PA Crimes Code

2709 Harassment

A person commits a summary offense when, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person:

strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise subjects a person to physical contact or attempts or threatens to do the same;

follows a person in or about a public place or places; or

engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which alarm or seriously annoy such other person and which serve no legitimate purpose.

5504 Harassment by Communication or Address

A person commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if, with intent to harass another:

makes a telephone call without intent or legitimate communication of address to or about such other person as lewd, lascivious, or indecent words or language or anonymously telephones another person repeatedly; or